Chapter 11 #2
“Even should we wish to do that—which we do not!—I would expect no success in changing Lizzy’s mind.
I am sure you remember my failure to convince her to marry you last year.
Surely, you cannot hope I am able convince her not to marry Mr Darcy if he should happen to propose to her and she decides to accept him! ”
“Mrs Bennet, I am not sure what you mean!”
“Oh, pishposh. Everybody in the neighbourhood knows that you first proposed to Lizzy and she refused you. You then asked Charlotte because you were afraid to go back to Rosings without a wife, just as she accepted you because she needed a comfortable home and a husband. Do not take me for a fool, and do not lecture me on marriage, sir!”
“Mrs Bennet, I assure you—” Mr Collins attempted to explain himself without success.
The lady concluded coldly. “And I would advise you against saying anything that might upset Mr Darcy. I understand he is very capable with both the pistol and the sword. Colonel Fitzwilliam said so. It would be a pity if you were not around to inherit Longbourn after all!”
“Mrs Bennet, this is…I never expected…”
Mr Bennet abruptly ended the conversation. “Mr Collins, I feel we have spent too much time speaking about a situation that we can neither influence nor even confirm its veracity. Thank you for stopping by. Mrs Bennet, is breakfast ready, you think?”
“Indeed it must be! And I am sure it is already cold. I did not except a call at such an early and inconvenient hour!”
Elizabeth dashed toward the main hall to avoid being caught in an awkward situation. She could not believe her mother’s bravery. She was certain Mr Collins had never suffered such a chastisement before.
She could hardly breathe. So, her suspicious were correct.
Mr Collins had the audacity to be Lady Catherine’s messenger and attempt to succeed where she had failed.
She did not know whether to be angry or amused.
It was certain, however, that such an endeavour would have no influence on Mr Darcy. He told her as much, more than once.
But, what if he were persuaded to wed his sick cousin. Could he be convinced by compassion for a lady near death? Would mercy toward his cousin be stronger than his affection—his ardent love—for Elizabeth? If so, what would she do? Could she bear such grief?
She hesitated a moment then hurried back to her bedchamber. No other room in the house was safe for the present.
∞∞∞
When she was finally composed enough to meet her family, Elizabeth expected embarrassing comments from her mother regarding Mr Darcy and his intentions. However, except for a joyful welcome and some curious glances, Mrs Bennet was somewhat restrained.
“I am so happy we came,” Lydia said. “Although I am a married woman, I was still asked to dance almost like an unmarried one! Jane, you are so fortunate to marry such a rich husband! If you love Mr Bingley half as much as I love my dear George, you will be very happy. And you can have as many balls as you like!”
“It saddens me that I cannot offer my dear wife as much comfort as she wishes,” Mr Wickham intervened. “My limited income is such that…I only pray we can live decently on it.”
“Your income is convenient, I would say,” Mr Gardiner interrupted.
“You must feel relieved that it came just at the right time for your unexpected marriage. I started my family with far less. It is all about how well a man accomplishes his duties and struggles to improve himself, as well as his income.”
“True. I might not be a good example, but at least I was never a burden to anyone,” Mr Bennet added severely.
“Well, when Jane marries Mr Bingley, you will at least not have to worry about being thrown out by Mr Collins once Papa dies,” Lydia declared. “Although I married first, I could not possibly take care of you all. Poor George works hard just to support me.”
“I hope you have not worried excessively, Lydia. I am sure none of us ever imagined such an event,” Elizabeth interjected.
Those who understood her meaning exchanged glances in silence. The gentleman who should have stayed silent chose to speak with impertinence.
“I confess I was rather shocked to see Darcy dancing the first set with our dear sister Elizabeth. I cannot remember ever seeing him open a ball. But it is also true that I never saw him leave so hastily in the middle of a ball.”
“It was so funny that I almost died laughing,” Lydia supported her husband. “I remember when Mr Darcy refused to dance with Lizzy at an assembly, and she hated him so much that she could not stand to hear his name. Back then, my George was your favourite, was he not, Lizzy?”
Elizabeth felt the blood drain from her face, and rage made her hands tremble.
“I remember those times too. My wisdom betrayed me, and I confused goodness with the appearance of it,” she uttered.
“Would you be so kind as to do me a favour?” Jane suddenly intervened with unusual severity.
“I would truly appreciate it if unfavourable comments about Mr Darcy ceased. He is my future husband’s best friend, and he has proved his loyalty and friendship to us many times.
I could not bear to see him offended or to see Mr Bingley upset. ”
“Darcy can please others when he wishes to do so,” Wickham continued.
“And he often uses his generosity to impress those around him. He has succeeded with Bingley, as well as with Miss Elizabeth. I, too, recollect those times when her opinion of him was the opposite. But I can easily understand why Miss Elizabeth would change her preference since she is surrounded by gentlemen of importance with excellent situations in life. Her dance card last night was filled with such names.”
“It was not their wealth but the richness of their character that made me change my mind about who is deserving of my friendship, Mr Wickham,” Elizabeth responded coldly.
“Still, it is surprising that Darcy decided to leave in the middle of the night. Whatever the problem might have been, surely it could wait until morning.”
Mrs Bennet slammed her fork on the plate so hard that everyone started and turned to her in shock.
“For heaven’s sake, Mr Wickham, you are as handsome as a man can be, but you strangely resemble our cousin Mr Collins.
Why do you keep talking about Mr Darcy? Whatever problems you might have had with him are all in the past. He is Mr Bingley’s friend, and he has been nothing but amiable to us lately.
Do not stir up the past! Can you not enjoy your breakfast? ”
In his astonishment, Wickham seemed unable to reply, so Lydia hurried to his aid.
“Mama, why are you so harsh with my husband? He does not deserve such criticism! Did you not say that he is a fine, good-looking man?”
“Hush, Lydia, do not upset me, child. I am astonished that your husband can follow orders in his regiment when he cannot obey our simple request. Since we met, he has continued to blame Mr Darcy for every ill in his life. We all heard you, Mr Wickham. He was mean and unfair. He denied you the living left by your godfather. But now, you have a new commission. You are an officer. Enough of this.”
“But, Mama—”
“No ‘Mama,’ Lydia. Let us not pretend we are all fooled and oblivious to the truth. I am happy if you are happily married, my dear. But honestly, eloping with a sixteen-year-old girl is not honourable. Nor is allowing my brother Gardiner to pay for debts on card games and the purchase of a commission. So I would be content if your husband—my first son-in-law—would continue to be handsome, pleasant, and less hasty in judging others. Let us eat now; my nerves cannot bear all this excitement.”
A deep, heavy silence fell over the chamber while everyone stared at Mrs Bennet in disbelief. She filled her plate with eggs, meat, and fruits then looked around inquiringly. Immediately, all eyes turned to their own food and only the sounds of eating were heard for some time.
“Excellent breakfast as always, Mrs Bennet,” her husband eventually complimented her, and she only nodded in approval.
Elizabeth lacked an appetite but pretended to enjoy the meal, dazzled by her mother’s commanding attitude and rational judgement.
She kept glancing at the mistress of the house, puzzled and ashamed of all the times she had blamed her for improper manners.
A short exchange was enough to prove that her father, aunt, and uncle shared her astonishment.
Mr Wickham said not a word more until breakfast ended.
∞∞∞
In the afternoon, Mr Bingley called with Mr Godwin and the Wilson brothers while the ladies at Netherfield continued to rest after the ball.
“We shall leave today and wished to take our farewell,” Mr Hugh Wilson said. “It was such a pleasure to make your acquaintance, and we hope to see all of you again soon.”
“Mr Gardiner, we should meet in Town when you return,” Mr David Wilson added.
“It would be an honour, sir,” Mr Gardiner accepted.
Refreshments were offered, and conversation commenced. Mr Godwin found a chance to sit near Elizabeth and engaged her in a private discussion, assuring her that he was delighted to spend time with her.
“I pray another chance might arise to see you again very soon, Miss Elizabeth. If not for my sister’s insistence and eagerness to return to London today, I would have happily prolonged my stay in Hertfordshire. It is my desire to know you better.”
She struggled to maintain a friendly smile as she answered with all possible politeness.
“I was delighted to meet you too, sir, as well as your sister, the Miss Kendals, and the Wilson brothers. It would be my great pleasure to see you again should the opportunity arise. I believe accompanying your sister to Town is a wise decision. You must be careful of her safety in this weather on bad roads.”
She hoped he understood. A slight shadow on his face proved he did. He appeared puzzled; he evidently expected her to be grateful for his declared preference.